Discussion
I can't answer the rust question as I had mine from new for 3 years, no issues in that time frame.
Mine was parked outside all year round with no issues. You do (as with all MX5s) need to keep the drain holes clear, especially if you're parking under or near trees. A trumpet brush will do that easily enough. Other than that no issues and it's a cracking car in the winter. Some models had heated seats and I highly recommend these, the heater was also very effective so I tended to have the roof down all-year round without getting cold. As it got older and I drove it less with a new job the battery did pack up once as I didn't drive it for 2-3 weeks in the deep winter so maybe worth considering that if they're not going to be driving it regularly, A new battery should help there if it's a worry.
I didn't put winter-tyres on as didn't find it a major problem (quite fun in fact!) although I had a pair of snow-socks in the boot just in case I got caught out and they helped me get out of a icy / snow covered country lane in the Lakes once, so may be a cheaper approach than full winters although the full winters will be better grip generally in the winter of course.
Mine was parked outside all year round with no issues. You do (as with all MX5s) need to keep the drain holes clear, especially if you're parking under or near trees. A trumpet brush will do that easily enough. Other than that no issues and it's a cracking car in the winter. Some models had heated seats and I highly recommend these, the heater was also very effective so I tended to have the roof down all-year round without getting cold. As it got older and I drove it less with a new job the battery did pack up once as I didn't drive it for 2-3 weeks in the deep winter so maybe worth considering that if they're not going to be driving it regularly, A new battery should help there if it's a worry.
I didn't put winter-tyres on as didn't find it a major problem (quite fun in fact!) although I had a pair of snow-socks in the boot just in case I got caught out and they helped me get out of a icy / snow covered country lane in the Lakes once, so may be a cheaper approach than full winters although the full winters will be better grip generally in the winter of course.
Mannginger said:
I can't answer the rust question as I had mine from new for 3 years, no issues in that time frame.
Mine was parked outside all year round with no issues. You do (as with all MX5s) need to keep the drain holes clear, especially if you're parking under or near trees. A trumpet brush will do that easily enough. Other than that no issues and it's a cracking car in the winter. Some models had heated seats and I highly recommend these, the heater was also very effective so I tended to have the roof down all-year round without getting cold. As it got older and I drove it less with a new job the battery did pack up once as I didn't drive it for 2-3 weeks in the deep winter so maybe worth considering that if they're not going to be driving it regularly, A new battery should help there if it's a worry.
I didn't put winter-tyres on as didn't find it a major problem (quite fun in fact!) although I had a pair of snow-socks in the boot just in case I got caught out and they helped me get out of a icy / snow covered country lane in the Lakes once, so may be a cheaper approach than full winters although the full winters will be better grip generally in the winter of course.
Drain holes?Mine was parked outside all year round with no issues. You do (as with all MX5s) need to keep the drain holes clear, especially if you're parking under or near trees. A trumpet brush will do that easily enough. Other than that no issues and it's a cracking car in the winter. Some models had heated seats and I highly recommend these, the heater was also very effective so I tended to have the roof down all-year round without getting cold. As it got older and I drove it less with a new job the battery did pack up once as I didn't drive it for 2-3 weeks in the deep winter so maybe worth considering that if they're not going to be driving it regularly, A new battery should help there if it's a worry.
I didn't put winter-tyres on as didn't find it a major problem (quite fun in fact!) although I had a pair of snow-socks in the boot just in case I got caught out and they helped me get out of a icy / snow covered country lane in the Lakes once, so may be a cheaper approach than full winters although the full winters will be better grip generally in the winter of course.
dieseluser07 said:
Are these cars still prone to rust like the mk2/2.5.
A friends looking at a 2007/2008 year.
Also is it a bad idea to get one if you dont have a garage? And are they fun to drive even in winter?
Fun to drive?A friends looking at a 2007/2008 year.
Also is it a bad idea to get one if you dont have a garage? And are they fun to drive even in winter?
Yes but not as fun as the mk1/2 unless the factory ride height has been sorted.
Fine outside in winter. My mk1 lives outside and used all year round.
If looking at an earlier tin top. Check it does not leak.
Save some dosh and get a mk1. Better in pretty much every way (very biased)
Petrol Only said:
Fun to drive?
Yes but not as fun as the mk1/2 unless the factory ride height has been sorted.
Fine outside in winter. My mk1 lives outside and used all year round.
If looking at an earlier tin top. Check it does not leak.
Save some dosh and get a mk1. Better in pretty much every way (very biased)
Apart from mega rust issues?Yes but not as fun as the mk1/2 unless the factory ride height has been sorted.
Fine outside in winter. My mk1 lives outside and used all year round.
If looking at an earlier tin top. Check it does not leak.
Save some dosh and get a mk1. Better in pretty much every way (very biased)
dieseluser07 said:
Petrol Only said:
Fun to drive?
Yes but not as fun as the mk1/2 unless the factory ride height has been sorted.
Fine outside in winter. My mk1 lives outside and used all year round.
If looking at an earlier tin top. Check it does not leak.
Save some dosh and get a mk1. Better in pretty much every way (very biased)
Apart from mega rust issues?Yes but not as fun as the mk1/2 unless the factory ride height has been sorted.
Fine outside in winter. My mk1 lives outside and used all year round.
If looking at an earlier tin top. Check it does not leak.
Save some dosh and get a mk1. Better in pretty much every way (very biased)
The mk1 is probably marginally better (and definitely better VFM) for the occasional warm/high day countryside thrash or trackday, but year-round usability is significantly worse.
dieseluser07 said:
Apart from mega rust issues?
If you look around I believe the mk3 isn't immune either. Usual places too apparently. 
Yes a mk1 WILL have rust but money sorts that.
(saved from low purchase price over mk3)C70R said:
And comfort, NVH and reliability.
The mk1 is probably marginally better (and definitely better VFM) for the occasional warm/high day countryside thrash or trackday, but year-round usability is significantly worse.
Comfort is subjective. I find my mk1 more comfortable than the 2007 tin top I had. Mk1 was/is quicker 1.8 v 1.8.The mk1 is probably marginally better (and definitely better VFM) for the occasional warm/high day countryside thrash or trackday, but year-round usability is significantly worse.
dieseluser07 said:
Drain holes?
Decent "how-to" guide here with pics:http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=389787
There's a few people on each forum that claimed to have cars rusted to nothing and the same few pics that show up, the paint is thin at best underneath and it does leave them looking a bit tatty but it's not like the old ones which fell apart or hid inner sill failures. The other thing to consider is getting it coated properly if rust is that big a worry.
Tell your friend to buy a 2 litre, lots more kit and lots of power, leather heated seats and aircon are musts for winter use (aircon demists and dries the car out so it doesn't smell like a leaky mk1). Also only the 2.0 has traction control in the UK.
Tell your friend to buy a 2 litre, lots more kit and lots of power, leather heated seats and aircon are musts for winter use (aircon demists and dries the car out so it doesn't smell like a leaky mk1). Also only the 2.0 has traction control in the UK.
hobobaggins said:
There's a few people on each forum that claimed to have cars rusted to nothing and the same few pics that show up, the paint is thin at best underneath and it does leave them looking a bit tatty but it's not like the old ones which fell apart or hid inner sill failures. The other thing to consider is getting it coated properly if rust is that big a worry.
Tell your friend to buy a 2 litre, lots more kit and lots of power, leather heated seats and aircon are musts for winter use (aircon demists and dries the car out so it doesn't smell like a leaky mk1). Also only the 2.0 has traction control in the UK.
So if he buys a 07/08 and pays to have it treated underneath it should last for many years? Or is it possible the undercarriage could be horrendous alreadyTell your friend to buy a 2 litre, lots more kit and lots of power, leather heated seats and aircon are musts for winter use (aircon demists and dries the car out so it doesn't smell like a leaky mk1). Also only the 2.0 has traction control in the UK.
dieseluser07 said:
DannyScene said:
I've driven a mk1 and a mk3, no amount of money/daily comfort could make me swap my mk1 for a mk3
Does it feel a lot raw? Theres quite a few mk1 for sale, well i think thier mk1, 2003 plate?
Without having a ramp how can he tell if they are badly rotten underneath?
If it has pop up headlights it is a mk1, they stopped making mk1's in 1998 I think
Erm without a ramp you'd have to lay on the floor and look underneath? Its not fool proof but without a lift there isn't really any other way, just check the arches and sills, mk2 I think don't rust on the arches as much but do rust on the front chassis rsils so that's something to look out for
Love our little one;
Love Mk1's as well but there's no way I'd swap (unless it was for summer weekend use only). Subtle suspension work (eibach springs and anti roll bars on otherwise standard suspension) means it handles beautifully, best gear change of any car I've owned (see profile!) and most importantly, the perfect amount of power to have fun on the road.
Lovely induction note (the later mk3.75 like this have a tube from the air I'd to the cabin), especially as you redline it through 2nd, 3rd and 4th without it becoming unsociably fast.
Love Mk1's as well but there's no way I'd swap (unless it was for summer weekend use only). Subtle suspension work (eibach springs and anti roll bars on otherwise standard suspension) means it handles beautifully, best gear change of any car I've owned (see profile!) and most importantly, the perfect amount of power to have fun on the road.
Lovely induction note (the later mk3.75 like this have a tube from the air I'd to the cabin), especially as you redline it through 2nd, 3rd and 4th without it becoming unsociably fast.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Love our little one;
Love Mk1's as well but there's no way I'd swap (unless it was for summer weekend use only). Subtle suspension work (eibach springs and anti roll bars on otherwise standard suspension) means it handles beautifully, best gear change of any car I've owned (see profile!) and most importantly, the perfect amount of power to have fun on the road.
Lovely induction note (the later mk3.75 like this have a tube from the air I'd to the cabin), especially as you redline it through 2nd, 3rd and 4th without it becoming unsociably fast.
That is beautiful, i want the hardtop but most of the ones for sale have soft tops grr. Im concerned about vandalism as i dont live in a very affluent area.Love Mk1's as well but there's no way I'd swap (unless it was for summer weekend use only). Subtle suspension work (eibach springs and anti roll bars on otherwise standard suspension) means it handles beautifully, best gear change of any car I've owned (see profile!) and most importantly, the perfect amount of power to have fun on the road.
Lovely induction note (the later mk3.75 like this have a tube from the air I'd to the cabin), especially as you redline it through 2nd, 3rd and 4th without it becoming unsociably fast.
Byker28i said:
we had a mk1 for many years (almost 10), now have a MK3 we've had for 6 years - no rust on it yet and it sits outside all the time, gets used lots. 2.0 Sportstech, 6 speed box, folding hardtop, great little car. Brisk, not fast but great handling.
How old is the mk3? Did you buy it newWe've had our 2007 2.0 Sport RC since 2008, and it's been used right through every winter. That's made the subframes a bit crusty, but the bodywork and paint is otherwise tip-top. Small parts of the return flanges of the rear arches are very lightly bubbling, and might become unsightly in a couple of years. Not much bother right now, but I'm fussy. When I last inspected the underside in the summer, you could still eat your dinner off the sill seams.
It's not explosively fast, but I find it adequate for real-world fun motoring. It's been my wife's car mostly, but I'm now running it on my 300-mile-a-week A and B road commute. It's like a faithful mongrel : not a thoroughbred, but eager to please, and doesn't take much to look after it. All it's needed other than servicing is a front caliper and an auxiliary drive-belt kit.
Now that I have my hands on it, I may treat it to new dampers/springs to tighten it up a bit.
Go straight for the 2.0 Sport / SportTech. You get a six-speed box, LSD and traction control, heated leather seats. All good stuff for driving through the winter. And it's worth holding out for a Roadster Coupe too for winter use. Whatever you choose, they're good value. I see dealers looking for almost £7000 for our age and spec of car. Trade offered me £3900 a few months ago.
It's not explosively fast, but I find it adequate for real-world fun motoring. It's been my wife's car mostly, but I'm now running it on my 300-mile-a-week A and B road commute. It's like a faithful mongrel : not a thoroughbred, but eager to please, and doesn't take much to look after it. All it's needed other than servicing is a front caliper and an auxiliary drive-belt kit.
Now that I have my hands on it, I may treat it to new dampers/springs to tighten it up a bit.
Go straight for the 2.0 Sport / SportTech. You get a six-speed box, LSD and traction control, heated leather seats. All good stuff for driving through the winter. And it's worth holding out for a Roadster Coupe too for winter use. Whatever you choose, they're good value. I see dealers looking for almost £7000 for our age and spec of car. Trade offered me £3900 a few months ago.
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